Automobile turn signal switch



April 1, 1941. P. F. SCHMITT I AUTOMOBILE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 31, 1938 A tiomeys PA UL f SCHM/TT,

April 1, 1941. P. F. SCHMXTT 2,237,083

AUTOMOBILE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH Filed Oct. 31, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f I I I 1 I 45 44 I I Q 5 MI 35 o 4/ f 49\ l I as $5 46 4.8 a I I a I I l g Q I I I Inventor .PAUL I ScHM/TT,

A fiorneys Patented Apr. 1, 194i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3Claims.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in automobile signals and more particularly to a signal switch for use in indicating the turn the driver is about to execute.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an automobile direction signal switch which will be entirely automatic in operation, thus eliminating the human element and the necessity on the part of the driver to only operate manual signals on certain special occasions.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a switch which will be positive acting and substantially fool-proof in operation.

These and various other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the switch apparatus.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view through the contacton Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing one of the swingable contacts and its stop member.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the switch with the hood removed.

Figure 6 is a section on ure 5.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through one of the covered springs.

The switch consists of a base 23 of insulation upon which is set a box-like hood 2| separated from the base 23 preferably by a gasket 24 to make the inside of weatherproof. Tubular spacers 25 are disposed between the base 23 and the top of the hood 2| and bolts 26 are disposed through the base, spacers and hood, and are equipped with nuts 21.

The intermediate portion of the base 23 has the rectangular shaped opening 28 therein through which extends the lever 29. A pin 30 extends transversely through the base 23 and through the lever 29, thus rockably supporting the lever.

The lower end of the lever is bifurcated as at 3| to receive the eye end of a connecting rod section 32, a pivot pin 33 extending through this bifurcated lever 3| and eye to pivotally connect the rod to the lever.

Mounted on the base 23 at opposite ends of the opening 28 are the contacts 40 and 4|. These contacts are of inverted U-shapeand adjacent the bight of each, an eye member 42 extends laterally to engage with one end of a corresponding the line .ss of Figtensioning spring 43 which has a rubber tubular the hood substantially 5 protector 44. The other end of the contact springs 43 are attached to bolts 45 which pass upwardly through the base 23.

Post members 46 have their lower ends threaded as at 41 and are screwed into the base 23. The upper ends of these posts 46 are bent toward each other as at 48, and then laterally as at 49 to define stops, each to engage a leg of the contact 40 or 4| to permit the same to move only so close to the contact member 50 on the upper end of the arm 29. Thus when the arm 29 is in centralized position the contact 50 is not touching the contacts 40 and 4|. The contact 50 is of substantially inverted U-shape, and preferably of copper, the same fitting over the block 5| of insulation which is disposed into the bifurcated end portion 52 of the lever 29 and secured by pins or the like 53.

It can be seen in Figure 6, that the lower ends of the contacts 40 and 4| are bent laterally to provide trunnions 54 which are disposed into bearings 55 suitably secured to the base 23.

It can now be seen, that when the arm 29 is moved accordingly so that its contact 50 engages either the contact 40 or the contact 4|. This allows current to pass to the contact 50 and from there to the contact 40 or 4|.

Obviously, when the arm 29 moves to a neutral or centralized position, the contact 40 or 4| follows but is limited from actually remaining with the contact 50 due to the corresponding stop 49.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention is specific terms, it is to be understood ,that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, 1 what claimed is-- 1. A switch structure of the character described comprising a base having an opening therein, a lever extending vertically through the opening and being rockably secured to said base, a pair of swingable contacts on the base, one at each side of the opening, said lever being provided with a contact at its upper end, means insulating the contact on the lever from said lever, stops for said swingable contacts to limit movement of the swingable contacts toward the contacts on the lever, and spring means for normally holding the swingable contacts against the stops, said swingable contacts being in the form of inverted U- shaped members having their legs bent to provide trunnions, and bearings on the base receiving said trunnions.

2. A switch structure of the character described comprising a base having an opening therein, a lever extending vertically through the opening and being rockably secured to said base, a pair of swingable contacts on the base, one at each side of the opening, said lever being provided with a contact at its upper end, means insulating the contact on the lever from said lever, stops for said swingable contacts to limit movement of the swingable contacts toward the contacts on the lever, and spring means for normally holding the swingable contacts against the stops, said swingable contacts being in the form of inverted U- shaped members having their legs bent to provide trunnions, and hearings on the base receiving said trunnions, each oi the said swingable contacts being formed at a side of its bight portion to provide an eye to which the is connected.

said spring means 3. A switch structure of the character described comprising a base having an opening therein, a lever extending vertically through the opening and being rockably secured to said base, a pair of swingable contacts on the base, one at each side of the opening, said lever being provided with a contact at its upper end, means insulating the contact on the lever from said lever, stops for said swingable-contacts to limit movement of the swingable contacts toward the contacts on the lever, and spring means for normally holding the swingable contacts against the stops, said stops each consisting of a post provided with an arm extending toward its corresponding swingable contact, and a lug on the free end of the arm against which the corresponding swingable contact is abuttable.

PAUL F. SCHMITI'. 

